Poll: Which ride should Kings Island bring back?

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While Kings Island celebrates its new Banshee roller coaster, we look back at the Son of Beast, Bat, King Cobra, Screamin’ Demon, Flying Eagles and other long-gone rides from the park.
Kings Island officials call them “retired attractions.” Long-time park goers call them something else: their favorite rides.
Reporter John Kiesewetter dug through Enquirer archives to compile 40 years of former rides. How many do you remember? Enquirer file

Tomb Raider, 2002: A large stone monkey greeted visitors in the “Antechamber” when Tomb Raider opened on April 5, 2002, with artifacts from the “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider” movie. Enquirer file/Gary Landers

King Cobra, 1984: Riders drop down the 95-foot hill on the new stand-up coaster, King Cobra, the first of its kind with a 360-degree loop and a 540-degree loop over water. It was dismantled after the 2001 season. Provided/Kings Island

Flight Commander, 1990: Flight Commander lifted passengers 60 feet in the air while giving riders the ability to climb, dive, and complete 360-degree barrel rolls by controlling a joystick in each car. Provided/Kings Island

Flying Eagles, 2004: A mother and child enjoy the last day for the Flying Eagles, an original 1972 ride removed to make room for The Italian Job Stunt Ride, now called the Backlot Stunt Coaster. Enquirer file/Glenn Hartong

Son of Beast, 2000: Thrillseekers enjoy the new Son of Beast wooden roller coaster, the world';s tallest (214 feet) and fastest (78 mph) wooden coaster, and the only wooden coaster in the world with a loop. Enquirer file

Son of Beast, 2006: The Son of Beast was closed in July 2006 after more than two dozen riders were injured. It reopened the next year without its signature 360-degree loop and was removed after the 2012 season to make way for Banshee. Enquirer file/Carrie Cochran